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The NBDE at a Glance

Your NBDE Part I Score

The National Board Dental Examination Part I is scored on a scale of 49-99. A scaled score of 75 or above is considered a passing score. This scaled score is produced from your raw score (the total number of questions you answered correctly). The scaled scores can be easily converted into percentiles using information received with your score report.

You will receive your score report approximately 6-8 weeks after your exam date. The dean of your dental school will also receive a copy of your scores. Additional copies are available upon written request.

How to Register for the NBDE Part I

To be eligible to take the NBDE Part I, your dental school must certify that you have completed all the necessary course requirements included in the tested content of Part I. Graduates of international dental schools must have their official dental school transcripts verified by Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc.

For more information, to request a Part I or Part II Candidate's Guide, or to receive an application to take the exam, contact:

Sample NBDE Part I Question

Directions: Read the following question and select the best answer from the choices below.

Which of the following components of the extrapyramidal system primarily function to control skeletal muscle tone?

Cerebellar nuclei

Cerebral nuclei

Red nucleus

Superior colliculi

Vestibular nuclei

Answer & Explanation:

The answer is C.

The axons of the pyramidal cells of the motor cortex descend to synapse on lower motor neurons in the brain stem and the spinal cord. Since there are no intervening synapses, the pyramidal system is able to provide rapid commands to the skeletal muscles and various other organs. There are several other centers that can issue somatic motor commands as a result of processing performed at the unconscious, involuntary level. These centers and their associated tracts comprise the extrapyramidal system. The red nucleus, located in the mesencephalon, is the component of the extrapyramidal system primarily in control of skeletal muscle tissue.

The cerebellar nuclei (choice A), located in the cerebellum, primarily controls coordination of movements and integration of sensory feedback.

The cerebral nuclei (choice B), also located deep in the cerebrum, primarily controls coordination and preparation of limb movements.

The superior colliculi (choice D), located in the mesencephalon, processes visual information and the vestibular nuclei (choice E), located in the pons and medulla oblongata, processes equilibrium sensations.

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